Your Parent Needs More Care Than You Can Handle. Now What?

lheller June 17th, 2011, 1:23 PM
Lisa Heller-Salmon
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Welcome to my very first blog entry! I thought I would use it as a sneak peek as to some of what I will be discussing in the coming weeks and months. The title for today’s entry struck me as very pertinent as to what is happening currently in my personal life. I guess I am in what some people refer to as “the sandwich generation.” With aging sick parents (my father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer), a two-year-old daughter with pervasive developmental disorder-nos (a disorder on the autistic spectrum), a husband (and all that entails), a full time job (that I love), family, friends, a cat and a house we just purchased that needs tons of work, you can see I have a wealth of inspiration to draw on.  And as a health care provider and consumer, I hope to bring you some insights on how to navigate and advocate for yourself and loved ones through what can be a very complicated health care system. All the while reminding myself (and you!) that in order to be a caregiver you have to take care of yourself first.  Most of all I hope I can provide a smile or an actual laugh out loud as I bring you through the sometimes complicated, sometimes simple maze of my life.  Peace, LHS

Posted in: Caregiving, Children and Teens, Senior Citizens, Your Mind and Body   Tags: , , , , , ,

Discussion

  • You are so right about taking care of yourself first. Many of us health care providers are so obsessed with taking care of others, we often forget about ourselves until our bodies say STOP and listen or else.
    I am guilty of neglecting myself, but I have found that it’s never too late to start. I have joined a gym, hired a personal trainer, lost 30 pounds, and now I am revved up to take care of mom..
    Looking forward to reading your blog and being inspired..lol

    — Peggy Admann  /  June 17th, 2011 at 2:10 pm

  • Thanks Peggy for being the first person to comment! Sounds like you have great perspective and wisdom that I certainly can learn from. Your Mom is lucky to have you.

    — Lisa Heller-Salmon  /  June 17th, 2011 at 2:28 pm

  • Hi Lisa thanks for giving us a peek into your life, I can say there is never a dull moment but as your first blogger said caring for your self is the first step in being able to care for others. Many of us try to be the SUPERHERO when most times our loved ones yes including our patients just want to know that we care AND ARE WILLING TO HELP. I hope this will be a place we can get and give some inspiration and support

    — Barbara Atkins  /  June 17th, 2011 at 2:44 pm

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